A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee is provided. The treadmill includes a base including a belt, a motor interconnected with the belt, and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base. The motor causes the belt to rotate in a first direction. The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities. The walking rehabilitation device further includes a transmission interconnecting the motor and the user engagement structure, the transmission transferring motion from the motor to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.
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1. A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee, comprising:
a base including a belt, the belt comprising a walking surface;
a motor interconnected with the belt, the motor causing the belt to rotate in a first direction;
a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base, the walking rehabilitation device comprising:
a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities;
a follower assembly coupled to the user engagement structure and extending below the walking surface; and
a transmission located below the walking surface and interconnecting the motor, the follower assembly, and the user engagement structure, the transmission transferring motion from the motor to the rehabilitee via a member and the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.
10. An apparatus for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee on a treadmill having a base and a walking belt, the walking belt powered by a motor and defining a walking surface, the apparatus comprising:
a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations on extremities of the rehabilitee; and
a transmission coupled to the user engagement structure and configured to take power from the motor that is not transferred through the walking belt, the transmission transforming power from the motor into motion of the user engagement structure, thereby allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the walking belt; wherein the transmission comprises:
a chain rotatably interconnected to the motor;
a member coupled to the chain; and
a shuttle slidably coupled to a rail supported by the base;
wherein the member is slidably coupled to the shuttle.
17. A method providing walking rehabilitation, comprising:
providing a treadmill including:
a motor configured to provide power and interconnected with a walking belt;
a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations on extremities of a rehabilitee and interconnected with the motor via a kinetic pathway other than the walking belt, wherein the kinetic pathway comprises a clutch;
causing the walking belt to rotate in a first direction via a first portion of the power from the motor;
transferring a second portion of the power from the motor to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, thereby replicating in the extremities of the rehabilitee a walking motion along the walking belt; and
disengaging the clutch such that motion is not transferred from the motor to the user engagement structure via the kinetic pathway while the motor causes the walking belt to rotate in the first direction.
2. The treadmill of
3. The treadmill of
4. The treadmill of
a first member extending below the walking surface; and
a second member coupled to the user engagement structure;
where in the second member is rotatably coupled to the first member such that the second member can be rotated to a position other than over the belt.
5. The treadmill of
a first member coupled to the transmission; and
a second member coupled to the user engagement structure;
wherein the second member is selectively coupled to the first member at one of a plurality of positions such that a lateral position of the user engagement structure may be selectively adjusted relative to the belt.
6. The treadmill of
7. The treadmill of
a chain rotatably interconnected to the motor;
and
a shuttle slidably coupled to a rail supported by the base;
wherein the member is coupled to the chain and is slidably coupled to the shuttle.
8. The treadmill of
the base supports a first shaft and a second shaft;
the belt extends around the first shaft and the second shaft;
the motor is interconnected with the first shaft, the motor causing the first shaft to rotate in the first direction, the first shaft causing the belt to rotate in the first direction; and
the transmission transfers motion from at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.
9. The treadmill of
a reverse shaft;
a power takeoff configured to transfer rotation from the at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft to the reverse shaft; and
a drive shaft configured to transfer kinetic energy to the user engagement structure;
wherein the drive shaft is rotationally coupled to the reverse shaft such that the drive shaft and the at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft rotate in the same direction.
11. The apparatus of
12. The apparatus of
13. The apparatus of
14. The apparatus of
15. The apparatus of
16. The apparatus of
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This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/706,018, filed Sep. 26, 2012, entitled “Treadmill with Integrated Walking Rehabilitation Device,” and from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/754,785, filed Jan. 21, 2013, entitled “Treadmill with Integrated Walking Rehabilitation Device,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The present application relates to the use of rehabilitation therapy that mimics walking (also referred to as “walking therapy”). More specifically, the present application relates to the use of a treadmill to provide walking therapy.
A number of disorders and injuries may cause an individual to experience complications when walking or render them unable to walk. For example, an individual may experience neurological damage due to stroke, spinal cord injury, etc. Walking therapy can help these individuals improve and/or regain their walk or gait. Such improvements may be the result of improving the training of muscle groups, improving kinesthetic awareness, and other related factors.
Walking therapy has traditionally been conducted with the help of two or more therapists that manually move a rehabilitee's legs to mimic walking motions. These traditional methods have a number of shortcomings. Among other things, these methods are very labor-intensive on the part of the physical therapists and can be subject to significant variability (e.g., due to different physical therapists working on different parts of a patient's legs, the inability to precisely control the gait of the patient's legs, etc.).
Generally, it is desirable to have more consistency when providing walking therapy. In some cases, consistency allows improvements to be more readily realized. In other cases, the results achieved are more accurate (e.g., because substantially the same muscle groups are repeatedly trained in substantially the same way, without undesirable variations, such as those occurring when a physical therapist's arms are tired, etc.). More recently, mechanically and/or robotically assisted devices that provide walking rehabilitation have been found to provide improved consistency.
One embodiment relates to a treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee. The treadmill includes a base including a belt, a motor interconnected with the belt, and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base. The motor causes the belt to rotate in a first direction. The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities. The walking rehabilitation device further includes a transmission interconnecting the motor and the user engagement structure, the transmission transferring motion from the motor to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.
Another embodiment relates to an apparatus for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee on a treadmill having a walking belt powered by a motor. The apparatus includes a user engagement structure configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities, and a transmission coupled to the user engagement structure and configured to take power from the motor that is not transferred through the belt, rather power is transferred through the transmission from the motor into motion of the user engagement structure, thereby allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the walking belt.
Another embodiment relates to a method providing walking rehabilitation. The method includes providing a treadmill having a motor interconnected with a walking belt and having a user engagement structure. The user engagement structure is configured to be removably secured to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's extremities and is interconnected with the motor via a kinetic pathway other than the walking belt. The method further includes causing the walking belt to rotate in a first direction via a first portion of the power from the motor, and transferring a second portion of the power from the motor to the rehabilitee via the user engagement structure, thereby replicating in the extremities of the rehabilitee a walking motion along the walking belt.
The foregoing is a summary and thus, by necessity, contains simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail. Consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring generally to the Figures, a treadmill 10 with an integrated walking rehabilitation device (e.g., walking rehabilitation device 16, walking rehabilitation device 316, etc.) is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The treadmill 10 includes a walking belt 18 and a motor 102 operatively coupled to the walking belt 18 to cause rotation thereof. The treadmill 10 further includes a transmission (e.g., transmission 100, transmission 400, etc.) that transfers motive force from the motor 102 to a user engagement structure (e.g., user engagement structure 70, user engagement structure 370). The user engagement structure 70, 370 may be removably secured to a rehabilitee R such that motion of the user engagement structure 70, 370 causes the rehabilitee R to walk with a desired gait. Thus, a single motor 102 may cause both the rotation of the walking belt 18 and the rehabilitative walking motion of the rehabilitee R. Preferably, the transmission 100, 400 synchronizes the walking motion of the rehabilitee R with the speed of a walking surface 19 of the walking belt 18 such that operation of the treadmill 10 with the walking rehabilitation device 16, 316 simulates a desired gait. Using a single motor 102 facilitates maintenance and repair of the treadmill 10, and having a transmission 100, 400 that takes power from the motor 102, rather than the walking belt 18, reduces de-synchronization of the walking belt 18 and the user engagement structure 70, 370, thereby increasing the amount of motive force that can be transferred through the walking rehabilitation device 16, 316 to the rehabilitee.
According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the transmission 100, 400 takes off power from a rear shaft assembly 60, which also drives the walking belt 18. The transmission 100, 400 corrects the direction of rotation through a reverse shaft assembly 110, 410, which turns a drive shaft assembly 120, 420, which in turn rotates a chain 136, 436. The chain 136, 436 follows a path 140, 440 around the drive shaft assembly 120, 420 and an idler shaft assembly 130, 430. A follower assembly 150, 450, coupled to the user engagement structure 70, 370 device, follows the path 140, 440 of the chain 136, 436, thereby generating a desired gait.
Referring briefly to
Before discussing further details of the treadmill and/or the components thereof, it should be noted that references to “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” “inner,” “outer,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the Figures. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.
It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
Referring to
The base 12 includes a walking belt 18 (e.g., running belt, slats, etc.) that extends substantially longitudinally along a longitudinal axis 20. The longitudinal axis 20 extends generally between a forward or front end 22 and an aft or rear end 23 of the treadmill 10; more specifically, the longitudinal axis 20 extends generally between the centerlines of a front and rear shaft, which will be discussed in more detail below. The walking belt 18 includes an upper portion (e.g., running surface, upper region, etc.), shown as walking surface 19, that contacts and supports the rehabilitee R. The walking belt 18 is driven longitudinally by a motor assembly 24 and is guided by a pair of bearing rails 25 (see
A pair of side panels 28, 29 (e.g., covers, shrouds, etc.) are provided on the right and left sides of the base 12 to effectively shield the rehabilitee from the components or moving parts of the treadmill 10. Openings 30, 32 in the side panels 28, 29 allow for a structure of the walking rehabilitation device 16 to extend above the walking belt 18 to be operatively coupled to the rehabilitee in the exemplary embodiment shown. It should be noted that brushes or other similar elements may be disposed in the openings 30, 32 to help prevent undesired objects from entering the openings.
The treadmill 10 is shown further including one or more support members disposed generally beneath the base 12 according to an exemplary embodiment. The support members provide clearance for the moving components, in particular, the vertically movable components, of the walking rehabilitation device 16 (see, e.g.,
The handrails 14 are shown extending along the right-hand and left-hand sides of the treadmill 10, laterally spaced apart and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 20. It should be noted that the left and right-hand sides of the treadmill and various components thereof are defined from the perspective of a forward-facing user standing on the walking surface 19 of the treadmill 10. A rehabilitee may utilize the handrails 14 for support (e.g., keeping themselves upright, partially supporting the weight of their body, etc.). Further, the handrails 14 may be configured to be adjustable, to accommodate users of different heights, builds, etc. According to the exemplary embodiments shown in
Referring to
A front shaft assembly 50 and a rear shaft assembly 60 are coupled to the frame 40 according to an exemplary embodiment. The front shaft assembly 50 includes at least one, preferably a pair of front belt pulleys 52 interconnected with a front shaft 54. For example, the pulleys 52 are preferably mounted on the front shaft 54 using a bushing (e.g., a tapered bore keyless bushing) to secure the pulleys 52 to the front shaft 54. The rear shaft assembly 60 includes at least one, preferably a pair of rear belt pulleys 62 and a secondary or rear motor pulley 68 interconnected with, and preferably mounted on, a rear shaft 64. The front and rear belt pulleys 52, 62 are configured to support and facilitate movement of the walking belt 18. The walking belt 18 is disposed about the front and rear belt pulleys 52, 62, which are preferably fixed to the front and rear shafts 54, 64, respectively. The motor assembly 24 rotates a primary or drive motor pulley 66, which drives the rear motor pulley 68 via a first or motor belt 67, chain, etc. As the rear motor pulley 68 rotates the rear shaft 64, the rear belt pulleys 62 rotate, causing the walking belt 18 and the front belt pulleys 52 to rotate in the same direction. As shown, the motor pulleys 66, 68 are toothed to engage the motor belt 67 and prevent slippage of the motor belt 67 relative to the motor pulleys. Similarly, the rear belt pulleys 62 are shown to be toothed to engage a toothed portion of the walking belt 18 and prevent slippage therebetween. According to other exemplary embodiments, the motor may be operatively coupled to the front shaft and the drive belt.
Referring generally to
Referring to
Referring to
According to the exemplary embodiment shown, and as best seen in
The reverse shaft assembly includes a pulley 112 and a gear 113 interconnected with, and preferably mounted on, a shaft, shown as a reverse shaft 114. The pulley 112 is interconnected with the power takeoff pulley 69 via a second or takeoff belt 116. According to one embodiment, the power takeoff pulley 69 and the pulley 112 may be toothed to engage a toothed inner portion of the takeoff belt 116, thereby preventing slippage therebetween. A tensioner 118 may apply force to the takeoff belt 116 to guide the takeoff belt 116 and to take up any slack in the takeoff belt 116. As shown in
Referring to
Referring briefly to
According to the embodiment shown, the clutch 180 is a magnetic clutch located between pulley 112 and reverse shaft 114. For example, a rotor of the clutch 180 may be coupled to the pulley 112, and an armature of the clutch 180 may be coupled to the reverse shaft 114. Thus, when the clutch 180 is energized, the clutch 180 engages, and torque may be transferred from the pulley 112 to the reverse shaft 114. The clutch 180 may be controlled by a user input device (e.g., switch, button, knob, lever, touchscreen interface, etc.) on the control panel 26, 27. According to other embodiments, the clutch 180 may be controlled by processing electronics coupled to the control panel 26, 27. According to various embodiments, the clutch 180 may be a mechanical or hydraulic clutch, or may be located in another position, for example, between the rear shaft 64 and the power takeoff pulley 69.
Returning to
The idler shaft assembly 130 supports and defines the path 140 of the chain 136 and includes a pair of second or forward sprockets 132, shown as left-side forward sprocket 132a and right-side forward sprocket 132b, interconnected with, and preferably mounted on, a shaft, shown as an idler shaft 134. A pair of belts or chains 136, shown as left-side chain 136a and right-side chain 136b, extends between and operably couples the rear sprockets 122 and the forward sprockets 132. A pin 138, shown a left-side pin 138a and a right-side pin 138b, is coupled to each of the chains 136.
According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the rear shaft 64 rotates in the direction of the walking belt 18 as it is driven by the motor assembly 24 so that the power takeoff pulley 69 coupled to the rear shaft 64 also rotates in the same direction. Power is transmitted from the power takeoff pulley 69 to the reverse shaft 114 via the pulley 112 and the takeoff belt 116. However, the reverse shaft is rotating in the opposite direction as the walking belt 18. Power is transferred across the reverse shaft 114 to the gear 113, which is engaged with gear 123 of the drive shaft assembly 120. The engagement of the gears 113, 123 causes the drive shaft assembly 120 to rotate opposite the reverse shaft assembly 110 (i.e., in the same direction as the rear shaft assembly 60 and the walking belt 18). The rear sprockets 122, in turn, cause the chains 136 to follow cyclical paths 140, shown as left-side path 140a and right-side path 140b, that travel or rotate in the same direction as the walking belt 18. Accordingly, the pins 138 follow the cyclical paths 140. According to some embodiments, the cyclical path may have an ovoid, elliptical, or teardrop shape. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the cyclical path has a racetrack shape. According to another embodiment, the treadmill does not include a reverse shaft assembly 110, instead having the pulley 112 mounted to the drive shaft 124, and the takeoff belt 116 being fully twisted between the power takeoff pulley 69 and the pulley 112 to cause the drive shaft assembly 120 to rotate in the same direction as the rear shaft assembly 60.
Referring to
Power is transferred across the reverse shaft 414 to the gear 413, which is engaged with gear 423 of the drive shaft assembly 420. The engagement of the gears 413, 423 causes the drive shaft assembly 420 to rotate opposite the reverse shaft assembly 410, that is, in the same direction as the rear shaft assembly 60 and the walking belt 18. The rear sprockets 422, in turn, cause the chains 436 to follow cyclical paths that travel or rotate in the same direction as the walking belt 18. According to some embodiments, the cyclical path may have an ovoid, elliptical, or teardrop shape. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the cyclical path has a racetrack shape.
The transmission 400 may include a clutch 480 that allows the follower assembly 450 to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the motor assembly 24. The clutch 480 may operate as described above with reference to clutch 180. As shown, the clutch 480 operably couples and decouples the reverse shaft 414 and the gear 413. A bracket 431 may be coupled to the cross-member 46 of the frame 40 to help support the weight of the clutch 480. For example, referring briefly, to
Returning to
The walking rehabilitation device 16 is further shown to include at least one follower assembly 150, according to an exemplary embodiment. The follower assemblies, shown as first or left-side follower assembly 150a and second or right-side follower assembly 150b, interconnect the pins 138 and the user engagement structures 70 and transfer motive forces therebetween. Accordingly, the cyclical motion of the pin 138 is transferred to the user engagement structure 70, which, in turn, imparts motion to the rehabilitee to simulate a gait (e.g., a desired gait, a walking gait, etc.). The left-side pin 138a and the right-side pin 138b are preferably coupled to each of the chains 136a, 136b 180-degrees out of phase with one another so that the user engagement structures 70 interconnected thereto will move in a synchronized manner to generate a bipedal gait.
According to the embodiment shown, the rear sprockets 122 are larger than the forward sprockets 132, which causes the path 140 to better approximate a natural gait. According to other embodiments, the front and rear sprockets 132, 122 may be of any size or relative size, and one or more additional sprockets may guide the chain 136 on a more complex path, for example, to simulate a different gait or to more exactly simulate a natural gait. The follower assemblies further allow the user engagement structures 70 to be spaced apart from the pins 138 so that, for example, the transmission 100 maybe located below and/or laterally outboard of the walking surface 19 while the user engagement structures 70 are located above the walking surface 19 and spaced laterally apart to provide for a substantially natural gait.
The follower assembly 150 is shown to include a follower 151 rotatably coupled to the pin 138, a joint or mount 156 removably coupled to the user engagement structure 70, and one or more members interconnecting the follower 151 and the mount 156. Rotatably coupling the follower 151 to the pin 138 allows the follower 151 to remain in an upright orientation relative to the treadmill 10 even though the pin 138 and chain 136 change orientation as they follow the cyclical path 140. According to the embodiment shown, the pin 138 is fixed to the chain 136, and the pin 138 is received by the follower 151. According to another embodiment, the pin is fixed to the follower 151, and the pin is received by the chain 136. According to another embodiment, the pin 138 is rotatably coupled to both the chain 136 and the follower 151.
As best seen in
According to the embodiment shown, the joint 153 slides onto and along the vertical member 152. According to one embodiment, the joint 153 and vertical member 152 have a sliding fit relationship, allowing the fore-aft and vertical loads to be transferred from the vertical member 152 to the user engagement structure 70 via joint 153. The joint-over-post configuration allows a therapist to connect the user engagement structure 70, mount 156, lateral member 154, and joint 153 to the rehabilitee, and then to easily couple such an assembly to the transmission 100 by lowering the joint 153 onto the vertical member 152.
As shown, the joint 153 is not fixed or fastened to the vertical member 152. According to one embodiment, a detent of predetermined force may couple the joint 153 and the vertical member 152. The detent may provide positive feedback that the joint 153 is properly coupled to the vertical member 152. Further, a low detent force may inhibit accidental decoupling of the joint 153 from the vertical member 152, but may allow decoupling of the joint 153 from the vertical member 152 with sufficient force. For example, the joint-over-post configuration and/or detent may allow the rehabilitee to break free from the vertical member 152 if sufficient differential load is created between the user engagement structure 70 side of the joint 153 and the transmission 100 side of the joint 153, e.g., if a rehabilitee stumbles. According to another embodiment, in case of emergency, the rehabilitee may be simply lifted clear of the treadmill 10 with the body weight support system 34, with the joint 153 separating from the vertical member 152. In an embodiment with the clutch 180, an emergency stop system may stop the motor assembly 24 and decouple the clutch 180, with the joint 153 separating from the vertical member 152 as necessary.
Briefly referring to
The first portion 256 is shown to include a slot 258 configured to receive at least part of the second portion therein, and, according to the embodiment shown, a pin 259 extends through the first portion 256 and the second portion 257 to connect the two portions of the joint 253. Such an assembly allows a therapist to connect the user engagement structure 70, mount 156, lateral member 254, and second portion 257 of the joint 253 to the rehabilitee and to then easily couple such an assembly to the transmission 100 by placing the second portion 257 of the joint 253 into the slot 258 of the first portion 256 of the joint 253.
According to various embodiments, the pin 259 may act as an axle or hinge, permitting the second portion 257 to rotate thereabout. Such rotation may allow a user or therapist to decouple the housing 157 from the block 158, and rotate the lateral member 154 upward and outward, clear of the space above walking belt 18. Such a configuration allows a therapist to quickly transition a rehabilitee from assisted to unassisted walking, and back again, if so desired.
According to another embodiment, the first portion 256 and the second portion 257 of the joint 253 may be coupled by a detent, for example, a resiliently biased (e.g., spring loaded, etc.) member (e.g., rod, ball, etc.) on one of the first portion 256 or the second portion 257, which engages a depression in the other of the first portion 256 or the second portion 257. As described above, a detent may provide positive feedback of coupling of the first portion 256 and the second portion 257, may facilitate quick coupling and decoupling of the first portion 256 or the second portion 257, and may allow the first portion 256 to decouple from the second portion 257 in response to sufficient differential load between the user engagement structure 70 side of the joint 253 and the transmission 100 side of the joint 253, for example, if a rehabilitee stumbles.
Referring to
The first portion 456 is shown to include a slot 458 configured to receive at least part of the second portion 457 therein, and a pin (not shown) extends through the first portion 456 and the second portion 457 to connect the two portions of the joint 453. Such an assembly allows a therapist to connect the user engagement structure 370, mount 356, lateral member 454, and second portion 457 of the joint 453 to the rehabilitee, and to then easily couple such an assembly to the transmission 400 by placing the second portion 457 of the joint 453 into the slot 458 of the first portion 456 of the joint 453.
According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the lateral member 454 may be adjusted axially or laterally relative to the second portion 457 of the joint 453. As shown, the lateral member 454 may include a plurality of positions, shown as holes 390, spaced apart axially along a portion of the length of the lateral member 454, and the second portion 457 may include a hole 391 extending through a sidewall of the second portion 457. A fastener, shown as pin 397, extends through the hole 391 of the second portion 457 and into a selectively aligned hole 390 of the lateral member 454. Accordingly, the relative lateral position of the user engagement structure 370 on the walking belt 18 may be selectively adjusted to accommodate rehabilitees of varying sizes and needs. For example, the relative lateral spacing between the user engagement structure 370 and the second portion 457 (and thereby the follower 451) may be adjusted.
As shown, the lateral member 454 includes a first end portion coupled to the joint 453 and a second end portion, distal the first end portion, that rotatably couples to a first portion of the joint or mount 356, shown as block 358. The block 358 releasably couples to a second portion of the mount 356, shown as housing 357, which is fixed to the user engagement structure 370. The housing 357 at least partially defines a channel 393. The housing 357 may completely define the channel 393, or as shown, the housing 357 and the user engagement structure 370 may cooperatively define the channel 393. The channel 393 is shown to extend substantially vertically and to receive a flange 392 on the block 358. Accordingly, a rehabilitee may attach the user engagement structure 370 and then couple the user engagement structure 370 (e.g., step onto, etc.) the block 358. According to the embodiment shown, the housing 357 may be releasably secured to the block 358 using one or more fasteners or pins 359 passing through aligned holes 355 and 355′ in the housing 357 and the block 358, respectively. Releasably coupling the user engagement structure 370 to the follower assembly 450 allows different sizes and types of user engagement structures to be used with the walking rehabilitation device 316, for example, user engagement structures having a stiffer or more flexible sole, no sole to enable barefoot walking, etc.
A detent mechanism may be used to couple the housing 357 to the block 358. According to one exemplary embodiment, the pins 359 may be resiliently coupled to the housing 357. According to another exemplary embodiment, the pins 359 may be one or more spring-loaded ball bearings configured to engage the holes 355′ when the holes 355′ and the spring-loaded ball bearings are aligned. Such a detent mechanism may provide positive feedback to the rehabilitee and/or therapist that the housing 357 is properly seated on the block 358 and may allow for rapid decoupling of the rehabilitee from the walking rehabilitation device 316, for example, in case of emergency. Because the rehabilitee's weight is acting downward on the housing 357, pushing the housing 357 onto the block 358, in normal usage, the detent mechanism need only be strong enough to prevent accidental or inadvertent decoupling.
The block 358 may be rotatably coupled and axially fixed to the lateral member 454. As shown, the block 358 is coupled to the lateral member 454 with a retention assembly 350. A clip 352 engages a slot or groove 351 on the lateral member 454 on the outboard side of the block 358. A washer or plug 353 passes over the lateral member 454 on the inboard side of the block 358. According to one embodiment, the plug 353 may frictionally (e.g., press fit, etc.) or threadably couple to the lateral member 454. According to the embodiment shown, a pin 354 extends through a hole 394 in the lateral member 454 inboard of the plug 353. The assembly of the clip 352, block 358, plug 353, and pin 354 is preferably sufficiently tight to prevent axial movement of the block 358 relative to the lateral member 454, while permitting rotational movement of the block 358 relative to the lateral member 454.
Returning to
According to one embodiment, the follower assembly 150 may include a variable support system. For example, the vertical member 152 may be resiliently or springedly coupled to the follower 151. According to another example, the lateral member 154 may be resiliently or springedly coupled to the block 158. The variable support system allows limited range of movement of the user engagement structure 70 relative to the pin 138. Accordingly, when the pin 138 follows the rear portion 142 of the path 140, the variable support system would absorb (e.g., take up, compensate for, etc.) some of the initial upward motion of the pin 138; thus, the user engagement structure 70 would more gradually (not as immediately and suddenly) lift from the walking surface 19 of the walking belt 18. Similarly, when the pin 138 follows the front portion 144 of the path 140, the variable support system would absorb some of the final downward motion of the pin 138 (e.g., between the point where the pin 138 begins travel in a rearward direction and the point where the pin 138 ceases downward travel, between the forwardmost point of the path 140 and the bottommost point of the path 140, between a point proximate a forwardmost point of the second sprocket 132 and a point proximate the bottom of the second sprocket 132, etc.); thus, enabling the user engagement structure 70 to contact the walking surface 19 at approximately the same time that the user engagement structure 70 begins rearward motion. According to various embodiments, the follower assembly 150 may include a lateral drive system and/or an ankle articulation system in order to provide a more detailed or natural walking motion. An exemplary lateral drive system and ankle articulation device are shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/757,725 to Bayerlein et al., incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
According to another embodiment, the follower assembly may include a mechanism to limit or constrain the rotational angle of the user engagement structure 70 relative to the vertical member 152 and the walking surface 19. For example, the lateral member 154 may have a cam portion, and mount 156 or joint 153 may include one or more plates adjacent the cam portion to limit the rotation thereof. For example, the cam portion may include a lobe that contacts one of the plates at a predetermined angle or rotation and prevents further rotation beyond the predetermined angle. Limiting the possible rotation (e.g., plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, etc.) of the user engagement structure 70 may prevent hyperextension by the rehabilitee as the rehabilitee steps forward or may prevent the rehabilitee from planting on walking belt 18 toe-first.
Referring to
The walking rehabilitation device 16 is further shown to include a guide assembly 160, according to an exemplary embodiment, to maintain the follower 151 and vertical member 152 in a substantially upright orientation. That is, the guide assembly 160 limits the range of motion or degrees of freedom of the follower assembly 150. The guide assembly 160 is shown to include a first or top shuttle 161 (e.g., slider, guide, etc.). The top shuttle 161 is slidably coupled to the vertical member 152 such that the vertical member 152 may slide or translate substantially vertically relative to the top shuttle 161. The top shuttle 161 is also slidably coupled to a first or top rail 162 (e.g., rail, etc.) such that the top shuttle 161 may slide or translate substantially horizontally in a fore-aft direction along the top rail 162. The top rail 162 is shown to be interconnected to the outer surface 49 of the respective side member 42, 44 of the frame 40 by a bracket 163. The bracket 163 may include a top laterally extending flange 164, which shields the top shuttle 161 and top rail 162 from debris. By constraining points other than the follower 151 along the vertical member 152, the guide assembly 160 can maintain the vertical member in a substantially upright orientation, thereby facilitating transmission of vertical forces from the walking rehabilitation device 16 to the rehabilitee.
The guide assembly 160 is shown to further include a second or bottom shuttle 165 (e.g., slider, guide, etc.). The bottom shuttle 165 is slidably coupled to the vertical member 152 such that the vertical member 152 may slide or translate substantially vertically relative to the bottom shuttle 165. The bottom shuttle 165 is also slidably coupled to a second or bottom rail 166 (e.g., rail, etc.) such that the bottom shuttle 165 may slide or translate substantially horizontally in a fore-aft direction along the bottom rail 166. The bottom rail 166 is shown to be interconnected to the outer surface 49 of the respective side member 42, 44 of the frame 40 by a bracket 167. The bracket 167 may include a bottom laterally extending flange 168, which shields the bottom shuttle 165 and bottom rail 166 from debris. By constraining additional points along the vertical member 152, the guide assembly 160 can maintain the vertical member in a substantially upright orientation, while reducing torque on each of the shuttles 161, 165, thereby reducing sticking or binding of the shuttle 161, 165 along the rail 162, 166. According to other embodiments, the guide assembly 160 may only include a top shuttle 161 and a top rail 162 (see, e.g.,
The walking rehabilitation device 16 is further shown to include a load bearing assembly 170, best seen in
The load bearing assembly 170 further includes a boss 174 (e.g., pin, protrusion, cam follower, roller, etc.) coupled to the follower 151. When the pin 138 is in the top portion 143 of the path 140, the boss 174 rests on or slides along the top rail 171, thereby removing at least some of the vertical load (e.g., weight of the user engagement structure 70, weight of the rehabilitee R, etc.) from the chain 136. Similarly, when the pin 138 is in the bottom portion 141 of the path 140, the boss 174 rests on or slides along the bottom rail 172, thereby removing at least some of the vertical load (e.g., weight of the user engagement structure 70, weight of the rehabilitee R, etc.) from the chain 136. As the user engagement structure 70 contacts and is supported by the walking surface 19 of the walking belt 18 when the pin 138 is in the bottom portion 141 of the path 140, much, if not all, of the vertical load is supported by the walking belt 18. Thus, some embodiments may not include a bottom rail 172. According to another embodiment, the treadmill 10 does not include a load bearing assembly 170.
Referring to
According to one embodiment, the top rail 171 is higher than the natural or catenary path of the chain 136 between the rear and front sprockets 122, 132 when the pin 138 is in the top portion 143 of the path 140, thereby ensuring that the weight of the user engagement structure 70, weight of the rehabilitee R, etc., transferred via the follower assembly 150 is substantially supported by the top rail 171. Similarly, according to one embodiment, the bottom rail 172 is higher than the natural or catenary path of the chain 136 between the rear and front sprockets 122, 132 when the pin 138 is in the bottom portion 141 of the path 140.
According to another embodiment, the transmission 100 and the vertical member 152, 252 may be configured to facilitate use of the treadmill 10 without the assistance from the walking rehabilitation device 16 to the rehabilitee. For example, portions of the transmission 100 (e.g., reverse shaft assembly 110, drive shaft assembly 120, idler shaft assembly 130, etc.) may be positioned lower relative to the walking surface 19. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 18-19, the pulleys 112 and sprockets 122, 132 of the transmission are generally located outside the width of the walking belt 18, allowing portions of the transmission 100 to be moved downward without interfering with the walking belt 18. According to another embodiment, idler pulleys (not shown) may be placed generally between the front and rear belt pulleys 52, 62 such that the bottoms of the idler pulleys guide the bottom portion of the walking belt 18 downward to provide greater clearance for the transmission 100 to be positioned farther downward. Moving the transmission 100 downward facilitates moving the top rail 162 downward and reduces the portion of vertical member 152, 252 that extends above the walking surface 19. Accordingly, when the treadmill 10 is configured for use without the walking rehabilitation device 16 (e.g., the lateral member 154, 254 is decoupled from the vertical member 152, 252), less of the vertical member 152, 252 remains above the frame 40, thereby facilitating access of a therapist to a rehabilitee. To compensate for the lower vertical member 152, 252, a portion of the joint 153 or (e.g., the first portion 256 of) the joint 253 make extend farther downward to couple to the vertical member 152, 252, thereby maintaining the lateral member 154, 254 at the same height relative to the walking surface 19. According to one embodiment, a portion of the joint 153, 253 may extend into the frame 40, below the plane of the walking surface 19. Furthermore, in an embodiment having clutch 180, the clutch 180 may be decoupled or disengaged such that the vertical members 152, 252 do not move while the walking belt 18 is moving.
According to another embodiment, the top rail 162 may be coupled to the outer surface 49 of the side members 42, 44 at an angle substantially parallel to the top 143 of the path 140. The top shuttle 161 may also be configured to support the vertical member 152, 252 at the substantially non-perpendicular angle relative to the top rail 162. Such a configuration requires less of the vertical member 152, 252 to extend above the top rail 162 in response to the difference in distance between the rear and front sprockets 122, 132, respectively.
Referring to
The guide assembly 460 is shown to not include a bottom shuttle 165 or bottom shuttle rail 166. Instead, the vertical member 452 is oriented based on the bottom end of the vertical member 452 being coupled to the follower 451 and based on the constrained translation of the vertical member 452 relative to the shuttle 461 and of the shuttle 461 relative to the rail 462. Not having a bottom shuttle 165 may require a stronger (e.g., larger, thicker, stronger material, etc.) vertical member 452. However, not having the vertical member 452 extend past the follower 451 facilitates the vertical member 452 does not extend below the frame 40 (cf.
The load bearing assembly 470 includes a first or top rail 471, which may be supported by a wall 176 (e.g., flange, web, support, etc.) (see, e.g.,
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The construction and arrangement of the elements of the treadmill as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The elements and assemblies may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
Bayerlein, Douglas G., Oblamski, Nicholas A., Bernal-Ramirez, Jose D., Zimpel, Robert L., Langer, Dane J.
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Jun 13 2013 | BAYERLEIN, DOUGLAS G | WOODWAY USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 030634 | /0724 | |
Jun 13 2013 | OBLAMSKI, NICHOLAS A | WOODWAY USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 030634 | /0724 | |
Jun 13 2013 | ZIMPEL, ROBERT L | WOODWAY USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 030634 | /0724 | |
Jun 13 2013 | LANGER, DANE J | WOODWAY USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 030634 | /0724 | |
Jun 13 2013 | BERNAL-RAMIREZ, JOSE D | WOODWAY USA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 030634 | /0724 |
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